AN 


APPEAL  TO  THE  CHURCHES 


BEHALF  OF  AFRICA. 


In  fundamental  principles,  unity— on  doubtful  points,  liberty— 
in  all  things,  and  above  all  things,  cAari/y.— Matthew  Heney. 


NEW-YORK 
LEAVITT,  LOUD  &  CO.,  ISvi  imOADWAY. 


'  1834. 


APPEA%  IN  BEHALF  OF  AFRICA. 


Shall  we  longer  hold  our  peace  ?  ^  Shall  the 
Lybian  cry  still  dwell  on  appealing ^lite,  and  touch 
no  nerve  of  sympathy  ? 

We  are  aware  that,  the  very  name  of  Africa  has 
already  become  annoying  tQ  public  feeling,  from  the 
injudicious  collision  of  opposing  parties.  And  while 
these  parties  have  been  collecting  and  arraying  their 
forces,  charging  their  artillery  and  prepafing  for  bat- 
tle, many  lovers  of  the  cause  have  hid  Iheinselves  Lor 
a  little  moment,  till  this  gust  of  passion  should  be 
overpast.  But  although  these  dark  clouds,  (to  use 
the  figure  of  another,)  have  come  int^jf^tual  contact, 
they  yet  discharge  no  genial  showers.  No — there 
seems  nouffht  but  the  lightning's  flash,  and  the  thun- 
der's  roar;  the  clashing  of  steel  and  the  4re  of  armfe; 
and  could  we  at  this  critical  moment  contribute  a  sin- 
gle iota  towards  allaying  the  mighty  conflagration  of 
public  feeling,  it  would  satisfy  our  fondest  hopes. 

In  doing  this,  we  espouse  no  party  interest,  save 
that  of  bleeding  humanity  ;  we  enlist  under  no  ban- 
ner, save  that  of  love.  We  plead  for  Africa,  suflfering, 
degraded  Africa,  whose  tl^lling  cry  is  stunned  by 
the  party  harangue  and^olitical  debate  of  those  who 
profess  to  be  laboring  for  her  good.  And  shall  this 
cry  be  hushed  in  death,  and  these  sii^l^ings  find  rest 


4 


APPEAL  TO  THE  CHURCHES 


in  the  grave,  while  the  philanthropist  and  Christian 
are  quarreling  about  the  best  measures  for  their  relief? 
They  profess  to  be  fighting  for  the  Prince  of  Peace  ; 
but  would  He  tread  His  hallowed  foot  upon  such 
bloody  ground  ?  No ;  these  things  are  fitting  ambi- 
tious hopes  of  earthly  glory  ;  not  the  soldiers  of  that 
cross,  whose  motto  is,  "Peace  be  with  you,  love  one 
another."  The  Christian's  life  is  indeed  a  warfare, 
but  it  is  with  the  powers  of  darkness,  not  with  their 
brethren,  the  children  of  liffht. 

It  is  a  lamentable  fact,  that  the  spirit  of  party  has 
so  diffused  itself  through  our  benevolent  institutions. 
We  expect  party  in  politics,  but  not  in  religion;  es- 
pecially among  those  acting  for  the  same  family,  chil- 
dren of  the  same  parent ;  while  a  part  are  now 
groaning  under  the  rod  of  the  civil  oppressor,  the  rest 
in  bondage  to  a  barbarous  chief,  and  the  still  more  des- 
potic rule  of  their  own  unrestrained  passions  and  ap- 
petites— equally  entitled  to  sympathy  and  relief.  And 
were  the  two  societies  already  engaged  in  their  behalf 
to  go  on  in  harmony  and  enlightened  zeal,  we  have 
no  doubt,  with  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  the  rod  of  the 
oppressor  would  soon  be  broken,  and  Ethiopia  become 
as  the  garden  of  the  TiOrd.  But  while  one  not  only 
says  "  I  am  of  Paul,"  and  another,  "  I  am  of  Apol- 
los,"  but  we  are  not  brethren,  we  fear  there  must  be 
very  little  of  Christ,  whose  command  is  not  merely 
"  be  pitiful,"  but,  "  be  courteous." 

It  is  not  our  object  to  collect  statistics  or  accumu- 
late facts,  an  array  of  which,  in  all  their  obnoxious 


IN  BEHALF  OF  AFRICA. 


5 


exaggeration,  are  constantly  presented  to  the  eye  of  the 
sensitive  public;  but  simply,  in  view  of  the  command, 
"Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  Gospel  to 
every  creature ;"  of  the  law  of  jubilee,  when  every  bond- 
man and  bondmaid  should  go  free,  and  every  man  re- 
turn unto  his  own  possession ;  and  in  fear  of  Him  who 
said,  "  Behold  ye  fast  for  strife  and  debate  ;  is  not  this 
the  fast  that  I  have  chosen,  to  undo  the  heavy  burdens 
and  let  the  oppressed  go  free  — we  would  repeat  the 
reiterated  claims  of  this  suffering  country. 

There  is  perhaps  no  heathen  nation,  who  has,  with 
Africa,  equally  strong  and  peculiar  claims  on  our  gra- 
titude. 

It  is  to  Africa  we  are  indebted  for  the  rich  inheri- 
tance of  civilization  and  the  arts;  some  relics  of  which 
still  remain,  to  speak  the  praise  of  her  departed  glory  ; 
her  catacombs  of  complex  skill,  lofty  pyramids  which 
have  stood  in  their  might  for  thousands  of  centuries, 
and  the  art  of  embalming,  which,  though  it  might, 
(as  has  been  asserted,)  have  arisen  from  necessity, 
having  neither  fuel  to  burn  their  dead,  nor  safe  or 
accessible  places  of  interment ;  yet,  as  all  efforts  to  re- 
vive it  have  been  unavailing,  we  may  suppose  it  to 
have  been  no  ordinary  discovery.  But  because  most 
of  her  inventions  have  been  merged  in  the  history  of 
other  countries,  we  forget  their  origin.  We  eulogize 
the  genius  of  Homer  ;  but  he,  like  most  of  the  Grecian 
authors,  is  thought  to  liave  travelled  into  Egypt,  and 
brought  from  the  priests  there,  not  only  their  learning, 
but  their  manner  of  conveying  it  in  fables  and  hiero- 


6 


APPEAL    TO  THE  CHURCHES 


glyphics.  We  still  look  back  with  wonder  and  delight 
on  the  noble  specimens  of  Grecian  art;  we  admire 
the  lofty  columns,  the  massive  walls,  and  the  tasteful 
architecture  of  the  Pantheon  ;  we  almost  deil'y  the 
noble  figure  of  the  Rhodian  Colossus,  and  the  famous 
temple  of  the  goddess  Diana.  We  can  dwell  with 
the  eye  of  an  amateur  on  the  exquisite  skill  of  an 
Appelles,  or  listen  with  enthusiastic  devotion  to  the 
songs  of  the  Athenian  bard ;  while  we  forget  that 
these  wonderful  creations  had  their  birth  in  Egypt ; 
who,  while  all  around  was  the  blackness  of  darkness, 
stood  brightly  forth,  like  one  solitary  star  ;  a  glorious 
one  indeed,  from  whose  radiant  beams  have  emana- 
ted the  light  of  science,  and  the  power  of  art.  That 
in  this  little  repository  were  collected  those  elements  of 
civilization,  of  genius,  of  knowledge  and  of  power, 
which  have  scattered  beauty,  wealth,  and  fame  in  the 
white  man's  path ;  which  have  been  the  pride  and  glory 
of  our  happy  Republic.  A  repository  which,  like  the 
ark  of  Noah,  floated  on  the  dark  waters  of  barbarism 
which  deluged  ihe  earth ;  and  whose  scattered  trea- 
sures, long  after,  supposed  to  have  come  down  from 
Heaven,  were  made  gods,  and  wrought  by  the  master- 
workmen  of  Greece  and  Rome  into  their  system  of 
Theogony. 

Shall  we  then  boast  ourselves  against  her  sons, 
and  still  treat  them  as  a  people  scattered  and  peeled,  a 
nation  meted  out  and  trodden  under  foot  ?  We  know, 
many  who  venerate  the  memory  of  ancient  Egypt, 
look  with  contempt  on  the  degraded  negro  :  and  ridi- 


IN  BKFIALF  OF  AFRICA. 


7 


cule  the  idea  of  a  Hannibal  or  a  Candace  with 
woolly  hair  and  a  colored  skin, — but  we  have  good 
historical  reason  to  believe  that  these  lofty  spirits  were 
not  clothed  in  light,  nor  their  organs  of  invention  and 
combination  covered  with  auburn  locks,  but  were 
identified  in  their  race  with  the  untameable  Bushman 
and  filthy  Hottentot. 

Since,  then,  our  rich  blessings  of  civilization  were 
preserved  through  one  quarter  of  Africa,*  and  since 
from  that  point  issued  the  light  of  science,  which,  with 
all  its  accumulated  splendor,  is  still  feasting  our  intel- 
lectual world,  has  she  no  claims  on  our  gratitude  ? 
Yes,  claims  which  command  a  four-fold  restitution. 
Not  only  should  we  labor  for  the  north,  but  the  south, 
the  east  and  the  west  of  Africa,  to  restore  in  the 
bosom  of  her  degenerate  sons,  that  spark  of  genius 
which  so  immortalized  their  illustrious  ancestry. 

Africa  has  claims,  too,  on  our/oi;e  of  civil  andjio- 
litical  prosperity. 

When  man  shall  have  shaken  off  those  selfish, 
sordid  chains  which  fasten  him  down,  soul  and  body, 
to  a  single  patch  of  earth — when  he  shall,  from  the 
high  eminence  of  his  holy  ambition,  look  on  the  loorld 
as  his  field,  and  its  farthest  inhabitant  his  neighbor  ; 
then,  and  not  till  then,  will  he  stand  ready  to  answer 

•  The  people  of  the  ancient  prie.itly  etatpof  Meroi-,  according  to  He- 
rodotus, were  Negroes.  They  had  a  fixed  constitution,  government, 
laws  niid  religion.  Several  colonies  went  from  Meroi',  and  the  first 
civih/.ed  state  in  Egypt,  that  of  Thebes,  must  have  originated  thence. 
—  I^vnj.  Aiiieriratia. 

The  F.thiopian  Quern  Candace,  whose  treasurer  is  mentioned  Acts 
viii.  27,  was  probably  (iuten  of  Merot-,  where  a  succession  of  females 
reigned,  who  all  bore  the  aame  name. — Rob.  Calmet. 


8 


APPEAL  TO  THE  CHURCHES 


the  demand  we  have  suggested  ;  it  is  nevertheless 
binding,  especially  from  a  country,  whose  sad  reverse 
makes  her  adversity  the  more  commiserable. 

Who,  that  appreciates  intellectual  worth,  can  be- 
hold the  mass  of  mind  buried  in  sloth,  sensuality  and 
the  most  degrading  vices,  on  the  vast  continent  of  Af- 
rica, unmoved ;  spirits  that  came  forth  from  the  breath 
of  the  Almighty,  now  scarce  vicing  in  sagacity  or  dis- 
crimination with  the  dog  or  the  elephant — who,  could 
they  live  and  breathe  in  their  own  native  element,  or 
be  nurtured  by  the  fostering  hand  of  pitying  genius, 
would  yet  feel  and  glow  and  burn  ?  Who  that  has 
felt  the  sweets  of  home,  the  rich  endearing  luxuries 
of  social  life,  can  look  with  cold  indifference  on  the 
contentions,  brawls,  and  brutish  barbarity  of  an  Afri- 
can kraal,  where  jealousy  and  revenge,  for  veriest 
trifles,  break  over  the  fondest  relations  of  life,  and  fill 
whole  neighborhoods  with  terror  and  dismay?  Or 
who  that  glories  in  the  peace,  the  plenty,  the  mild  po- 
licy, and  the  free  institutions  of  our  happy  America, 
will  not  commiserate  the  precarious  safety  of  those 
miserable  hordes,  where  turmoil,  war,  and  bloodshed 
mark  the  way  to  power;  whfere  the  strongest  man 
rules,  and  his  arm  is  the  law?  Here  is  a  field  for  the 
philanthropist,  the  statesman ;  for  all  who  seek  the 
mental  improvement,  social  happiness  and  equal  rights 
of  man  ;  and  hard  indeed  must  be  the  heart  and  pal- 
sied the  energies,  that  will  not  feel  and  act  for  this 
sutfcring,  helpless  country. 

We  are  apt  to  associate  witli  Africa  every  thing 


IN  BEHALF  OF  AFRICA. 


9 


dark,  cheerless  and  unlovely.  We  view  it  as  an  extend- 
ed waste  of  scorching  sands,  where  "genius  sickens, 
and  where  fancy  dies  ;"  an  isolated  spot,  marked  out 
for  the  judgments  of  Heaven,  (but  no,  'tis  the  accursing 
cruelty  of  man.)  Here  grow  many  of  the  temperate, 
and  all  the  tropical  productions  in  rich  variety  and 
profusion  ;  and  there  needs  but  the  hand  of  the  skill- 
ful agriculturalist  to  bring  forth  joyous  harvests.  For 
advantages  of  commerce,  too,  it  stands  unrivalled, 
with  such  an  extended  coast,  so  central,  and  so  easy 
of  communication  with  the  other  quarters  of  the 
world.  And  with  all  these  facihties  for  improvement, 
shall  we  still  breathe  no  prayer,  or  make  no  effort  to 
secure  to  Africa  her  civil  rights  and  political  eleva- 
tion ?  Yes,  let  men  of  intelligence,  of  enterprise  and 
of  moral  worth,  plant  themselves  along  her  borders, 
and  penetrate  her  trackless  deserts.  liCt  us  bring  our 
tithes  into  the  store-house,  and  hire  and  send  forth 
laborers  into  this  vineyard,  till  her  wilderness  shall 
become  a  garden,  her  deserts  bud  and  blossom  like  a 
rose;  till  her  commerce  shall  fill  our  seas,  and  her 
ships  become  Bethels,  bearing  missionaries  of  the  cross 
to  some  still  longer  neglected  spot. 

But,  says  an  objector,  why  do  all  this  for  a  race 
of  idiots,  who  can  never  appreciate  or  enjoy  social 
and  civil  happiness,  whose  minds  are  black  as  their 
skin,  and  who  are  formed  for  hewers  of  wood  and 
drawers  of  water  ?  Nay,  but  oh  vain  man  !  Who 
art  thou  in  thy  fair  skin  and  polished  locks,  that  thus 
scornest  thy  brother?    "  Who  maketh  thee  to  differ? 


10 


APPEAL  TO  THE  CHURCHES 


And  what  hast  thou,  thai  thou  didst  not  receive  ?"  The 
excuser  says,  I  can  never  believe  in  the  unity  of  the 
human  origin,  and  they  have  no  claims  on  me  as 
brethrett.  Very  well !  But,  remember  that  thy  caste 
must  be  as  contracted  as  thy  narrow  heart,  though 
not  so  lofty  as  thy  pride ;  for,  if  this  distinguishing 
theory  be  true,  neither  the  Indian  nor  the  Asiatic  is 
thy  brother  ;  and  the  Circassian  would  look  on  thee 
with  the  same  contemptuous  indifiFerence,  with  which 
thou  reo;ardest  the  deo;raded  negro. 

Even  the  believer  in  divine  Revelation,  which 
says,  God  "  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  the  nations," 
feels  within  a  lurking  scepticism,  when  he  compares 
the  squalid  features,  and  black  complexion  of  the  Hot- 
tentot, with  his  own  florid  face  and  manly  form ;  but 
this  difficulty  may  be  readily  obviated  by  so  arranging 
the  several  varieties  of  the  human  species,  that  the 
unpleasant  contrast  of  black  and  white  is  softened 
down  by  shades.  For  example,  place  in  order,  first, 
the  snowy,  symmetrical  Circassian  ;  second,  the  Euro- 
pean ;  third,  the  red  man  of  the  forest;  fourth,  the  cop- 
per-colored Malay;  next,  the  Moor;  and  last,  the  Gui- 
nea-man ;  and  we  shall  not  be  so  shocked  with  the 
fact,  that  they  all  sprang  from  our  common  father, 
Adam.  We  find  them  with  erect  forms,  with  the 
same  animal  structure,  the  same  bones,  sinews  and 
muscles,  diflering  only  so  much  as  is  easily  supposa- 
ble  from  difference  of  climate,  education,  habits  of 
life,  and  many  other  causes  to  which  we  might  refer. 
We  find  them  too,  with  souls  of  the  same  heavenly 


IN  BEHALF  OF  AFRICA. 


11 


Stamp,  differing  from  their  sympathetic  interest  in 
the  same  physical  causes. 

If  it  be  a  fact  that  habits  of  indolence  and  effemi- 
nacy, even  among  the  civilized  and  enlightened, 
are  unfavorable  to  intellectual  advancement,  what 
ought  we  to  expect  from  a  race  of  beings  who,  from 
generation  to  generation,  have  lived  through  a  long 
course  of  years  in  the  grossest  sloth,  subsisting  on  the 
spontaneous  products  of  the  earth,  having  nothing  to 
excite  their  ambition,  or  hope  of  better  things  ?  Let 
us  rejoice  that  these  causes  may  yet  be  removed,  that 
there  lives  one  spark,  even  in  the  blackest  covering, 
which,  with  the  fan  of  love,  may  yet  be  kindled  to  a 
flame  of  intellectual  glory  here,  and  by  the  power  of 
grace,  shine  as  a  star  in  the  firmament  of  heaven  for 
ever  and  ever.  And  where  is  the  magnanimity  of 
the  philanthropist,  where  the  Christian  zeal,  which 
can  suffer  such  materials  to  lie  unimproved  ;  mate- 
rials which  can  fill  the  degraded  land  of  Africa  with 
happy  families,  peaceful  villages,  republican  institu- 
tions, and  the  richer  feasts  of  mind  1 

Again,  Africa  has  claims  on  our  justice. 

She  demands,  as  a  right,  the  restoration  of  those 
privileges  of  which  our  ignominious  avarice  has  so 
cruelly  deprived  her.  We  are  her  debtors,  and  the  sum 
of  her  account  has  been  accumulating  with  matchless 
rapidity  for  many  generations,  and  now  threatens  our 
country  with  hankruptcy,  unless  speedily  liquidated  ; 
debtors  not  only  for  her  degradation,  the  spoiling  of 
her  beauty,  the  destruction  of  her  peace,  and  the  gold 


12 


APPEAL  TO  THE  CHURCHES 


of  her  shores  ;  but  for  sons,  who,  but  for  our  in- 
humanity, might  have  become  plants  ;  for  daugh- 
ters, who  might  have  become  corner-stones  ;  yes,  for 
life  which  is  now  calling  upon  the  divine  Avenger  for 
the  fulfillmenl  of  that  legal  denunciation,  "  Whoso 
sheddeth  man's  blood,  by  man  shall  his  blood  be 
shed."  And  if  the  blood  of  one  so  cried  from  the 
ground,  as  to  reach  the  ear  of  Jehovah,  how  much 
more  thatof  miUions  of  Africans  who  have  fallen  vic- 
tims to  the  cruelty  of  the  slave  trade.  Slave  trade  ! 
Our  very  heart  sickens  at  the  name  of  such  a  com- 
merce. We  shrink  with  terror  from  a  sacrifice  of 
blood,  of  human  blood,  thus  guiltily  offered  on  the 
altar  of  avarice,  whose  polluted  smoke  is  now  rising 
in  thick  volumes  of  blackness, , a  swift  witness  be- 
fore the  judgment  seat  of  heaven. 

Oh,  the  fiendish  barbarity  of  this  dealer  in  human 
merchandise  !  With  an  ear  deaf  to  the  cry  of  humaai 
woe,  and  a  heart  callous  to  human  sufierings,  he 
seizes  for  his  prey — not  the  aged,  whose  strength  be- 
gins to  tremble,  whose  grinders  have  ceased,  and 
whose  windows  are  darkened  ;  (No,  these  were  too 
insensible  to  his  cruelty,  two  worthless  for  his  avari- 
cious grasp,)  but,  the  pride  of  manhood,  the  flower  of 
youth,  and  the  bud  of  early  blossom ;  yes,  and  the 
helpless  infant  who  knows  no  joy  but  in  its  mother's 
smile,  must  be  torn  from  her  bleeding,  agonizing 
breist,  to  satisfy  his  cruel  thirst  ;  while  neither  her 
shrieks  of  agony,  nor  the  nursling's  melting  sobs  can 
move  his  more  than  adamantine  heart.    Look  on 


IN  BEHALF  OF  AFRICA. 


13 


such  a  scene  as  this,  oh  ye  fond  parents,  who  regard 
your  tender  offspring  as  the  apple  of  your  eye,  and  be 
still  deaf  if  ye  can  to  Afric's  pleading  injuries.  And 
what  does  the  slave  dealer  give  to  palliate  these  woes  7 
He  scatters  around  him  liquid  poison,  which,  while 
it  lulls  the  sense  of  right,  that  he  may  the  more  easily 
effect  his  purpose,  leaves  behind  the  sting  of  the  adder, 
and  the  bite  of  the  serpent ;  as  if  not  content  with  tor- 
turing and  murdering  his  captives,  he  must  destroy 
the  bodies  and  souls  too,  of  those  he  leaves  behind — 
that  none  may  escape  his  withering  power. 

It  is  needless,  perhaps,  to  follow  the  dealer  in  his 
rapacity ;  the  master  in  his  barbarous  tyranny ;  or 
the  helpless  slave  in  his  silent,  unrevenged  oppression. 
The  very  word,  Slave  trade,  like  the  magician's  wand, 
calls  up  a  host  of  crimes  ;  the  guilty  stain  of  which 
may  yet  blot  the  stars  from  our  American  escutcheon. 
The  crowded  galleys  with  their  heaps  on  heaps,  with 
nought  to  breathe  but  sickly,  suffocating  air  ;  the 
heavy,  galling  chain  ;  the  brutish  sale ;  the  lash  ; 
the  scorpion ;  and  last  of  all,  the  intellectual  and 
moral  gloom  their  servitude  involves — and  this  by 
man,  free,  enlightened  man  !  "  Who  finds  a  fellow 
guilty  of  a  skin  not  colored  like  his  own,  and  having 
power  to  enforce  the  wrong  for  such  a  worthy  cause, 
dooms  and  devotes  him  as  his  lawful  prey."  And 
can  we  look  on  such  wrongs  as  these  with  cold  in- 
difference? In  the  moving  strain  of  Shylock — Hath 
not  a  slave  eyes  ?  Hath  not  a  slave  hands,  organs, 
dimensions,  senses,  ajfcctions  passions  1  Fed  with 
2 


14 


APPEAL  TO  THE  CHURCHES 


the  same  food,  hurt  with  the  same  weapons,  subject 
to  the  same  diseases,  healed  by  the  same  means, 
warmed  and  cooled  by  the  same  winter  and  sum- 
mer as  an  A?nerican  ?  If  you  prick  him  does  he  not 
bleed  ?  If  you  tickle  him,  does  he  not  laugh  7  If  you 
poison  him,  does  he  not  die  7  And  if  you  wrong  him, 
shall  he  not  revenge  ?  Yes,  if  he  is  too  weak,  or  his 
fellow-man  too  callous  to  avenge  his  wrongs,  he  has  an 
advocate  above.  "Vengeance  is  mine,  I  will  repay, 
saith  the  Lord."  "  I  tremble,"  said  Jefferson,  speaking 
of  slavery,  (when  less  of  moral  and  political  light  illu- 
mined our  country  than  now,)  "  when  I  reflect  that 
God  is  just,  that  his  justice  cannot  sleep  for  ever." 
Let  us  not  boast  in  our  security.  "  When  He  maketh 
inquisition  for  blood,  He  forgetteth  not  the  cry  of  the 
humble  and,  although  God  is  slow  to  anger,  and  of 
long  suffering,  yet  retribution  will  come,  and  we  fear 
speedily  too,  with  overwhelming  force,  unless  averted 
by  our  penitence,  prayers,  and  powers.  Yes,  already 
hear  we  a  murmuring  in  the  tops  of  the  mul- 
berry trees,  we  feel  a  shaking  in  our  political  fabric ; 
and  shall  we  sit  still  in  infatuated  stupidity,  till  it 
crumbles  and  falls  ?  No  ;  let  us  arise  in  our  strength, 
and  shed  forth  the  blaze  of  truth,  till  this  secret  ene- 
my shall  quail  before  its  searching  scrutiny.  Let  us 
fight  with  the  strong  weapons  of  Gospel  love,  till  not 
only  the  foiuidation,  but  the  top-stone  of  our  republi- 
can edifice  shall  be  laid  in  liberty.  And,  if  neither 
the  cries  of  her  degraded  sons  at  home,  nor  the  sigh- 
ing of  her  prisoners  abroad,  can  affect  our  sympathies 


« 


IN  BEHALF  OF  AFRICA. 


15 


in  behalf  of  Africa";  will  not  the  fear  of  these  threaten- 
ins:  calamities  ?  Shall  we  not  make  haste  to  restore 
to  her  those  rights  she  so  justly  demands,  if  so  be,  we 
may  yet  avert  from  us  the  judgments  of  Heaven. 

But  why  all  this  ado  about  Africa  ?  Why  this 
reiteration  of  her  claims?  Oh,  we  are  spell-bound 
in  iron  fetters,  by  the  love  of  ease,  and  the  love  of 
gold  !  If  our  sons  and  daughters  were  imprisoned  in 
a  foreign  land,  or  degraded  at  home,  and  our  fair 
country  despoiled  of  its  beauty  and  peace  by  a  foreign 
power  ;  how  would  our  hearts  bleed,  our  tears  flow, 
and  our  eloquence  plead  for  restitution.  But  ("  Tell  it 
not  in  Gath,  publish  it  not  in  the  streets  of  Askelon  !") 
dark  Lybia  sues  for  aid ;  the  voice  of  justice  cries 
awake  !  restore !  and  still  we  heed  it  not.  "  Then 
what  is  man  1  and  what  man,  seeing  this  and  having 
human  feelings,  does  not  blush 'and  hang  his  head  to 
think  him.'self  a  man?  "  We  are  happy  to  acknow- 
ledge some  honorable  exceptions  in  our  denunciation. 
We  fully  appreciate  the  independence,  self-denial,  and 
luitiring  zeal  of  those  happy  few,  who  have  dared  to 
enlist  in  the  redemption  of  Africa ;  but  her  demand 
against  us  is  national,  and  requires  a  nation's  strength 
and  a  nation's  treasury  to  cover  it.  Let  us  then 
never  boast  of  the  speedy  reduction  of  our  national 
debt,  till  Africa's  just  claims  are  canceled. 

Lastly — Africa  claims  from  us  the  glad  news  of 
salvation. 

However  successfiilly  we  may,  by  logic,  sophis- 
try, or  sheer  indifference,  elude  the  point  of  other 


16 


APPEAL  TO  THE  CHURCHES 


arguments ;  we  cannot  gainsay  the  Saviour's  broad 
command,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach 
the  Gospel  to  every  creature."  It  is  direct,  positive 
binding — binding  on  us.  He  would  have  us  go  into  all 
the  world ;  then  we  must  go  to  Africa.  He  would 
have  us  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature  ;  then  we 
must  tell  the  poor  negro  of  a  Saviour's  dying  love. 
We  talk  much  about  the  fulfilment  of  this  command, 
we  anxiously  and  earnestly  watch  for  the  dawn  of 
that  happy  period  ;  but  what  do  we  ?  Shall  we  wait 
for  it,  as  if,  like  the  sun,  it  would  roll  itself  along,  and 
burst  upon  our  view,  in  all  its  brightness,  without 
any  effort  of  ours  ?  No — we  cannot  be  mere  lookers- 
on  in  this  scene  of  interest ;  we  must  be  actors — and 
the  stronger,  more  zealously,  more  perseveringly 
we  act,  the  sooner  will  the  Millennium  come.  No 
miraculous  hand  shall  write  "  Holiness  to  the  Lord," 
on  our  possessions.  We  are  the  instrump.nt  wliich 
must  engrave  this  sacred  inscription.  No  bright 
seraphim  shall  then,  with  golden  wings,  enwrap  the 
earth.  In  man  are  found  the  elements,  which, 
purified  and  brightened,  may  reflect  this  rich  light  of 
the  celestial  world,  and  constitute  the  glory  of  the 
latter  day — a  glory  which  shall  cover  the  earth.  No 
blackness  of  darkness  shall  then  rest  on  Africa.  We 
know  in  her  evangelization  there  are  many  obstacles  to 
be  removed,  dangers  to  be  encountered,  and  sufferings 
to  be  borne  !  But  these  mountains  must  be  brought 
low,  and  it  is  time  the  fire  and  the  hammer  were  al- 
ready at  work.    Does  the  effort  bring  trial  ?    "  Trib- 


IN  BEHALF  OF  AFRICA. 


17 


ulation  worketh  patience."  Does  it  bring  death? 
"  To  die  is  gain."  Are  her  subjects  filthy  and  naked? 
How  enviable  the  privilege  to  offer  them  the  garment 
of  salvation,  and  the  washing  of  a  Saviour's  blood  ! 
Are  they  degraded  and  senseless  ?  Who  would  not 
love  to  raise  an  almost  brute  to  the  spiritual  height 
and  glory  of  an  angel  ?  There  is  no  time  to  be  lost. 
Africa  must  be  evangelized ;  and  unless  we  act  with 
more  efficiency,  that  glorious  era  we  had  almost  hoped 
to  see  ourselves,  may  never  be  witnessed,  even  by  our 
children's  children. 

We  would  by  no  means  have  other  fields  abandon- 
ed, or  the  energies  now  engaged  in  their  cultivation 
turned  upon  Africa.  We  only  claim  for  her  an  inclo- 
sure  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord ;  and  inasmuch  as 
the  soil  is  barren,  and  many  stones  to  be  removed,  is 
it  not  high  time  the  fallow-ground  was  breaking  up? 
If  our  efforts  for  the  heathen  were,  as  they  should  be, 
in  direct  ratio  of  their  wants  ;  if  their  depth  of  degra- 
dation and  misery  constituted  the  turning  point  in 
our  inquiries  after  duty;  Africa,  with  her  hundred 
millions  pleading  in  blood,  would  sooner  have  obtain- 
ed our  sympathies,  prayers  and  aid.  And  shall  we 
longer  delay  ?  The  work  is  great  and  difficult.  A 
hundred  languages  and  dialects  are  to  be  acquired — 
extensive  fields  of  enterprise  explored — advantages  of 
manufacture,  commerce,  and  agriculture  sought  out — 
schools  and  churches  to  be  built — and  not  a  moment 
should  be  lost.  While  we  are  waiting,  the  ground  is 
covered  with  the  battle's  dead ;  the  sword  and  the  cup 
2« 


IS  APPEAL  TO  THE  CHURCHES 

are  plunging  their  thousands  into  eternity !  Mission- 
aries— yes,  hundreds  of  missionaries,  ought  now  to  be 
on  the  field,  studying  its  Babel  of  tongues,  exploring 
its  trackless  deserts  and  boundless  plains,  suffering  its 
acclimation,  and  surveying  its  objects  of  interest. 
The  land  is  to  be  possessed,  if  there  be  any  truth  in 
inspiration;  and,  if  there  be  any  fidelity  in  God's  ser- 
vants, should  be  possessed  by  7is.  Let  us  then  hasten 
to  redeem  our  cruelties  to  Africa  ;  and,  for  the  spoil- 
ing of  her  beauty,  make  her  wilderness  to  bud  and 
blossom  like  a  rose  ;  for  the  destruction  of  her  peace, 
give  her  the  rich  consolation  of  the  Gospel,  which  is 
glad  tidings  of  peace  ;  for  the  gold  of  her  shores,  trea- 
sures which  neither  moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt ;  for 
her  sons  and  daughters^  missionaries  of  the  jcross, 
sons  and  daughters  of  God ;  and,  if  we  have  poison- 
ed her  fountains  of  life,  open  to  h^r  the  wells  of  sal- 
vation. Let  us  give  her  "  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of 
joy  for  mourning,  the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit 
of  heaviness." 

But  the  question  arises,  Has  no  one  yet  enlisted  in 
behalf  of  Africa  ?  Yes,  the  spirits  of  Mills  and  Ash- 
man are  reaping  in  heaven  the  reward  of  their  deeds 
for  her  ;  and  some,  we  trust,  are  now  making  among 
her  sable  sons,  stars  for  their  crown  of  rejoicing.  But, 
"  the  end  of  the  commandment  is  charity,  from  which 
some  having  swerved,  have  turned  aside  unto  vain 
jangling."  This  is  a  whirling,  rushing  age — and  it  be- 
comes those  who  would  not  be  borne  heedlessly  along 
by  party  impetuosity,  to  look  well  to  the  foundation 


IN  BEHALF   OF  AFRICA. 


19 


of  their  faith ;  to  take  a  bold  and  elevated  stand  in 
defence  of  truth.  There  is  a  baneful  spirit  of  pride, 
which  is  gnawing  the  very  vitals  of  some  of  our  be- 
nevolent institutions  ;  a  bigotry  and  self-sufficiency, 
which  have  yet  to  learn  the  humiliating  lesson,  "  Let 
nothing  be  done  through  strife  or  vain-glory  ;  Let  him 
that  glorieth,  glory  in  the  Lord."  But  here  are  claims 
too  pressing,  too  irresistible  to  be  averted  by  party 
feuds, — claims  of  a  nation,  on  our  gratitude,  for  the 
bright  heritage  of  her  glory — on  our  justice,  for  the 
restitution  of  her  stolen  goods — on  our  compassion, 
for  the  rich  gifts  of  the  Gospel. 

Still,  what  is  to  be  done  ?  Much,  every  thing ; 
and  can  any,  for  the  sake  of  two  millions  at  home, 
withhold  not  their  alms  only,  but  their  sympathies 
from  the  hundred  millions  perishing  in  fearful  suc- 
cession in  Africa  ?  We  ought  perhaps  to  preface  in 
such  a  time  of  excitement,  "  No  leveled  malice  infects 
one  comma  in  the  course  I  hold ;"  but,  to  see  pro- 
fessed friends  of  civil  and  moral  liberty  holding  back, 
even  opposing  efforts  directed  to  the  regeneration  of 
Africa,  is  a  cause  of  deep  regret.  Is  not  her  advance- 
ment in  political  prosperity  worthy  the  philanthropist  ? 
Should  not  her  deliverance  from  civil  thraldom  touch 
the  heart  of  an  American '?  And  can  her  deep  immer- 
sion in  sin  and  idolatry  fail  to  awaken  the  energies  of 
the  Christian  ?  If  the  deliverance  of  the  captive  in  our 
borders  is  an  object  of  so  much  importance,  as  to  be 
effected  at  the  risk  of  internal  order,  plighted  faith 
and  social  happiness ;  should  trifles,  prejudices,  piques 


20 


APPEAL  TO  THE  CHURCHES 


prevent  the  emancipation  of  a  nation,  not  only  from 
a  galling  civil  yoke,  but  from  the  harder  bondage  of 
sin  and  Satan  ?  Though  the  lovers  of  human  happi- 
ness have  a  right  to  choose  objects  of  benevolence  for 
themselves,  they  have  no  right  to  oppose  efforts  in  be- 
half of  any  part  of  God's  heritage.  Africa  must  be 
regenerated  ;  and  we  can  conceive  of  no  better  way 
than  through  the  auspices  of  societies.  If  there 
be  any  objection  to  one  or  other  society,  organize  a 
third.  We  are  not  fighting  for  Liberia  or  Cape  Pal- 
mas,  but  for  Africa,  and  must  patronize  these  colonies 
'till  others  be  planted.  If  any  objection  to  their  lo- 
cality be  raised,  select  another  site  ;  only  "let  there 
be  no  strife  I  pray  thee,  for  we  are  brethren.  Is  not 
the  whole  land  before  us  ?" 

Away  with  this  bitter  spirit !  Act  like  fellow-men, 
like  brethren  ;  and  no  longer  attempt  to  give  liberty  to 
the  captive  by  binding  heavier  burdens,  and  more 
grievous  to  be  borne,  on  his  friend — his  advocate — 
his  liberator.  The  commands.  Break  every  yoke, 
and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,  issued  from 
the  same  mighty  authority.  It  was  the  same  prophetic 
spirit  breatlied  the  cheering  promises,  every  bond- 
man and  bondmaid  sliall  go  free  ;  and  Ethiopia  shall 
stretch  forth  her  hands  unto  God.  We  have  often 
admired  the  wisdom  of  Providence  in  so  variegating 
the  means  of  benevolence,  as  to  suit  the  peculiar  tastes 
and  partialities  of  all  who  are  disposed  to  aid  the 
cause  of  human  happiness  ;  as  well  as  the  harmony 
with  which  each,  touched  by  the  same  moving  springy 


IN  BEHALF  OF  AFRICA. 


21 


fulfilled  its  separate  end.  There  has  hitherto  been  no 
jarring,  no  discord,  no  worldly  policy.  A  laudable 
spirit  of  emulation  has  indeed  been  often  excited  by 
the  zeal  and  efforts  of  kindred  societies,  and  the  sleep- 
ing energies  of  many  a  band  of  love  have  been  arous- 
ed to  action  by  the  pleading  note  of  a  more  daring 
brother ;  but,  whoever  heard,  even  in  times  of  highest 
excitement,  of  one  organ  of  benevolence  lifting  up  its 
heel  against  its  fellow?  Who  ever  heard  the  Tract  say 
to  the  Bible  society,  we  have  no  need  of  thee  ?  Or 
the  Home  Missionary  society  say  to  the  Foreign,  stand 
by,  for  I  am  holier  than  thou  ?  Why — this  spirit  is  an 
anomaly  in  the  benevolent  world  !  A  mo7ister  in  the 
sisterhood  of  charity  !  Ah  !  'tis  such  disputations  give 
strength  to  the  infidel,  and  make  the  scoffer's  glory. 
Take  heed  then,  lest,  through  misdirected,  injudicious 
measures,  you  bring  reproach  upon  the  cause  you 
have  espoused. 

It  is  indispensable  to  the  stability  and  success  of 
benevolent  enterprises,  that  their  foundation  be  strong, 
their  first  principles  sound  ;  and  we  think  it  might  not 
be  amiss  for  the  societies  enlisted  in  the  African  cause 
to  test  their  secret  springs  by  the  touch-stone  of  cha- 
rity ;  to  search  out  and  discard  all  "  envy  and  jealousy 
and  evil  speaking"  they  may  find  lurking  within  their 
territories.  Exclude  every  thing  corrupt  from  youf 
system.  Make  the  tree  good.  Remember,  that  "if 
any  man  love  not  his  brother  whom  he  hath  seen, 
how  can  he  love  the  Father  whom  he  hath  not  seen  ?" 
That,  "  if  thou  bring  thy  gift  to  the  altar,  and  there 


22 


APPEAL  TO  THE  CHURCHES 


rememberest  that  thy  brother  hath  aught  against  thee, 
leave  there  thy  gift  before  the  altar,  and  go  thy  way  ; 
first  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  come  and 
oflFer  thy  gift."  Bring  together  your  prayers,  and  your 
interests ;  act  in  harmony  as  twin  sisters  of  the  same 
parent  of  love :  then  may  you  ask  boldly  a  Father's 
care ;  then  will  the  sable  children  of  your  beneficence 
call  you  blessed. 

We  shall  not  attempt  to  answer  objections,  either 
to  the  Abolition  or  Colonization  societies.  The  grand 
principle  of  both  is,  professedly,  the  elevation  of  the 
negro  race.  And  we  see  no  reason  why  they  should 
not  move  in  concert,  as  different  artisans  in  rearing  the 
same  sanctuary  of  human  blessedness.  Let  the  Anti- 
slavery  society  raise  her  note  of  alarm,  and  sound 
loud  and  long  the  horrors  and  abominations  of  the 
slave  trade ;  let  her  bring  to  light  its  fiendish  barbarity, 
and  dwell  on  the  dark,  inhuman  deeds  of  that  merci- 
less traffic,  till  her  pity  and  indignation  shall  pro- 
nounce its  death-dirge — and  we  will  rejoice.  Let  the 
Abolitionist  alarm,  (not  denounce)  the  conscience  of 
the  owner,  and  show  him  the  blackness  of  his  crime  ; 
let  him  visit  our  southern  brethren,  and  plead  with 
them  in  accents  of  love  and  kind  compassion,  the  lib- 
eration of  his  fellow-bondmen — and  we  will  bid  him 
God  speed.  Yea,  let  churches  and  school-houses, 
academies  and  colleges  be  built  for  the  colored  freed- 
man,  and  give  him  all  the  privileges,  social,  civil  and 
religious,  which  we  enjoy — and  we  will  glory  in  his 
exaltation.    Then  let  the  Colonizationalist  transport 


IN  BEHALF  OP  AFRICA. 


23 


to  Africa  her  sons  who  love  their  native  soil ;  and 
plant  her  colonies  from  east  to  west,  and  from  north 
to  south.  Let  manufactures,  commerce,  and  agricul- 
ture be  extended;  the  arts  and  sciences  cultivated:  let 
a  republican  policy  of  government  and  a  high  tone  of 
morality  prevail :  and  let  the  Gospel  banner  there  un- 
furl its  heaven-born  motto,  "  Peace  on  earth,  good  will 
to  men  ;"  and  we  may  hope  yet  to  see  the  ignorance 
and  cruel  ferocity  of  those  barbarous  nations,  melting 
away  before  the  light  of  knowledge  and  the  power  of 
truth. 

And  there,  where  science  shot  a  ray- 
Across  the  white  man's  darken'd  way  ; 
Shall  Gospel  light  in  glory  rise, 
And  beam  with  love  o'er  Afric's  skies. 

The  regeneration  of  Africa  is  no  puny  underta- 
king. A  vast  continent  of  more  than  one  hundred 
millions  of  inhabitants,  sunk  in  the  lowest  degradation 
and  misery  !  And  were  it  the  work  of  such  slothful 
instruments  alone,  our  hearts  would  faint  in  view  of 
it,  and  we  should  exclaim  with  the  Apostle,  "  Who  is 
sufficient  for  these  things?"  But  our  Father  smiles, 
and  we  take  courage.  The  arm  of  Jehovah  moves 
forth,  and  the  work  is  done.  Nevertheless,  he  will  be 
enquired  of ;  He  will  achieve  this  glorious  enterprise 
through  the  agency  of  man.  Why  then  shall  we  not 
believe  ?  And  why  do  we  not  act  ?  Ah  !  this  faith- 
lessness and  this  indolence  are  too  cruel  in  these 
days  of  mighty  works.  AVith  such  indiflerence, 
when  shall  these  dear  heathen  be  given  to  Christ  for 


24  APPEAL    .0  P-CHES,  ETC. 

an  inheritance  1  Whert  shall  the  heralds  of  the  cross 
fly  swiftly  across  the  Atlantic,  to  answer  the  thrilling 
Ethiopian  cry;  "  Come  over  and  help  us  ?"  When 
shall  the  filthy  Hottentot,  and  the  tameless  Bushman, 
wash  in  the  fountain  of  redemption  and  bow  meekly 
to  the  Gospel  yoke  ?  And  when  shall  the  tyrant  and 
his  subject,  the  bloody  chieftain  and  his  helpless  victim, 
lie  down  together  in  the  quiet  shade  of  the  olive-branch 
of  peace  ?  Never,  never,  till  Ave  awake  to  the  inju- 
ries of  pleading  Africa  !  Never,  till  the  friends  of  hu- 
manity, and  the  lovers  of  the  gates  of  Zion,  arise  in 
their  strength,  to  dispel  those  spirits  of  darkness  now 
haunting  her  groves  and  prowling  about  her  deserts. 
To  arms,  to  arms,  ye  soldiers  of  the  cross  !  March 
on  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts  against  their 
wily  prince,  and  his  arm  shall  be  broken,  his  throne 
crumble  and  fall,  and  his  dominions  be  given  to  the 
Prince  of  Peace.  Scatter  the  word  of  life,  and  that 
dry  and  thirsty  land  shall  become  a  fruitful  field  ;  her 
barren  deserts,  springs  of  life ;  her  rivers  overflow 
with  gladness ;  the  mountains  break  forth  into  sing- 
ing, and  all  the  hills  clap  their  hands  with  joy ;  and 
the  valley  and  the  plain  shout  forth  loud  anthems  of 
thanksgiving  to  God  for  this  mighty  deliverance  ; — 
and  in  heaven,  mid  the  high  praises  of  these  ran- 
somed ones,  washed  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
may  ye  find  your  reward. 


